Joint-marker.



J; E.& L. s. GHELMO.

JOINT MARKER.

APPLICATION FILED APR.28, 1914.

Patented Feb. 2, 1915.

$ NORRIS PETERS CO PHOTD-LITHO WASHINGTONv D. c.

JOHN E. GHEL'MO AND LEONARD S. CHELIVIO, OF WEBSTER, WISCONSIN.

JOINT-MARKER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 2, 1915.

Application filed April 28, 1914. Serial No. 835,037.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, JOHN E. CHnLMo and LEONARD S. CHnLMo, citizens ofthe United States, residing at WVebster, in the county of Burnett andState of Wisconsin,

have invented certain new and useful Im provements in Joint-Markers, ofwhich the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to new and useful improvements in joint markers ofthe type employed particularly by carpenters in marking the line onwhich the terminal of a board is to be cut.

The principal object of our invention is to provide a joint marker whichconsists essentially in a substantially U-shaped clamp which carriesbetween its arms and adjacent its bight portion an oblong head block andis formed of resilient sheet metal so that the arms may be engagedagainst the opposite faces of the plank and will be thus held in theproper position during the application of the pencil or other marker.

A further object is to construct the arms or jaws of the U-shaped clampfrom separate strips of sheet metal, each of which is formed to providean outwardly opening channel which extends throughout the or portion ofits length and is also bent to form an inwardly opening channel at itsinner terminal so that there will be provided at the inner terminals ofthe two arms or jaws a pair of casings or housing which will receive thehead-block and hold this member against rotation on the bolt employed inholding the jaws in adjusted spaced relation.

An object of equal importance with the foregoing is to construct ourjoint marker with such regard to proportion, number and arrangement ofparts that it may be cheaply manufactured, will be durable and eiiicientin its action, and may be readily applied to or removed from any joist,plank or the like with a minimum expenditure of time.

The above and additional objects are accomplished by such means as areillustrated in the accompanying drawings, described in the followingspecification, and then more,

pz-irticularly pointed out in the claims, which are appended hereto andform a part of this application.

WVith reference to the drawings, wherein there has been illustrated thepreferred embodiment of this invention as it is reduced to practice, andthroughout the several views of which similar reference numeralsdesignate corresponding parts, Figure 1 is a perspective view showingthe joint marker applied to a plank; Fig. 2 is a detail perspective viewof the joint marker; Fig. 3 is a top plan view; Fig. 1 is a section onthe line H of Fig. 3; and Fig. 5 is a detail perspective viewillustrating a modified form of the invention in operative engagementwith a base board ready for marking of the same.

In the embodiment of our invention illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, the joint marker consists essentially of a pair of jaws orarms 10 and 11 which are connected by a substantially U-shaped yoke 12,and are held in the desired spaced relation by a head-block 13 which isremovably mounted between the inner terminals of the jaws or arms.

The arms 10 and 11 are substantially identical in construction, eachbeing formed, as previously explained, from a strip of resilient sheetmetal. In forming the jaws or arms the sheets of metal are first outalong transverse lines, as indicated at 11. The metal sheets are thenshaped to produce the outwardly opening channels 15 which extendthroughout the major portion of the lengths of the arms, being definedby the outwardly and laterally bent longitudinal edges 16 and 17 of themetal sheets. Those longitudinal edge portions of each sheet of metalwhich lie between the incisions 14: and the inner terminals of the armsare bent to extend inwardly and laterally with respect to thebody walls18 of the arms, as indicated at 19. flanges 19 of each arm of the deviceform the channels, indicated at 20. As has been hereinbefore explained,these channels 20 are adapted to receive the terminals of the spacer orhead-block 13, the function of which will be hereinafter more fullyexplained.

In order to yieldably connect the clamping jaws or arms 10 and 11 sothat they may, be adjusted to extend in various degrees of spacedrelation for the purpose of receiving planks of different thicknesses,we have provided the connecting yoke 12, which, as hereinbeforeexplained, is formed from a strip of resilient sheet metal, and which issubstantially U-shaped in conformation. The terminals of the members 12are placed against the body portions 18 of the arm i members, beingsecured thereagainst by means of rivets or equivalent fastening do Theinwardly directed edges or' vices, indicated. at 21. It is now to beexplained that the member 12 normally tends to hold the clamping arms oraws 10 and 11 in relatively closed spaced relation and is, therefore,made from resilient sheet metal so that by introducing the spacer block13 between the body walls 18 the user of the device may space the armsthe dsired dis tance apart.

The spacer block 13 is preferably formed of wood, although, if sodesired, rubberoid or any other composition of a suitable nature may beemployed. As has been hereinbefore explained, the spacer block 13 isoblong in shape. The reason for which the spacer block is thus shaped isto enable the user of the device to adjust the arm members 10 and 11 forthe reception of boardsof varying thicknesses. It will be seen uponreference to Fig 3 particularly that a longitudinally extending bore 22is formed in the block 13, and that a second transversely extending bore23 is also formed in this spacer block. It Will, therefore, be obviousthat the adjusting bolt 24: maybe inserted through the alined aperturesformed in the body walls 18, as shown in Fig. 3, and that the headblock13 may be positioned either with its longitudinal bore 22 receiving thebolt 24 or with its tranverse bore '23 receiving the connecting bolt.Thus, if the head-block 13 is made one inch in length and one-half inchin thickness, it is obvious that it will space the inner faces of thebody walls 18 one inch apart when its longitudinal bore 22 re 'ceivesthe connecting bolt. On the other hand, the members 18 may be spacedapart but one-half inch if the connecting bolt is received within thetransverse bore 23. A wing nut 25 is, of course, provided for theprojecting threaded terminal of the connecting bolt 9A for holding theblock against withdrawal from the body walls 18.

Having thus described the structural details of our invention, we desireto direct particular attention to several of the most importantadvantages which result from the.

embodiment of our invention shown in the accompanying drawings. It willbe apparent that the joint marker is relatively simple in constructionand may, therefore, be cheaply manufactured. Furthermore, inasmuchas allthe parts, with the eXception of the head-block 13, are formed of metal,the life of the marker will be of considerable duration. Again it is tobe observed that the head-block 13 being provided with a longitudinalbore and a transverse bore makes it p'ossibleto space the arms 10 and 11difierent distances for the reception of boards or the. like ofdifierentthicknesses- The final important feature is the fact that thehead-block 13 isof a width equal to the distance, between the innerfaces ofv the members 19 of each arm. Thus, when the marker, it isobviously held againstrotation upon the connecting bolt 24 by engagementof its longitudinal edges with the members 19.

In regard to the manner in which the joint marker is employed, attentionis directed to Fig. 1 of the drawings, in which it will be seen that thetwo arms 10 and 11 are applied to the opposite faces of the plank to bemarked, and that the spacer block 13 is engaged with the head of theplank. Inasmuch as the spacer block is held against rotation and isarranged at right angles to the arms 10 and 11, it is obvious that apencil may be drawn along the outer edges of the members 16 and 17, andthat the resultant line will be a true right angle to the edge of theplank. In other words, the marking device is capable of performing theofiices of a carpenters square but is more efficient than the customarytype of square in that it is provided with two clamping arms which, whenengaged against opposite faces of the plank, hold the marker in thedesired position.

VVhile the marker is adapted to serve in the manner above described, asa substitute for a carpenters square, this use of our invention is notthe one primarily intended. The principal object which we haveendeavored to obtain is the provision of a marker which is of especialvalue in putting on siding on the outside of a house, or fitting mopboards against the casings on the inside ofa building, or such similarwork. The marker, when used in this manner, is placed astraddle of theboard and up against the casing or piece that the board is to befittedto, and then by drawing a pencil along the board, asshown in Fig.1, the cutting line will be perfectly indicated so that the board may besawed'to fit neatly and exactly against the casing or other piece. Ifthecasing or piece that the terminal ofthe board is to fit against is on aslant or angle, the marker will perfectly perform its function, for bybeing engaged along its longitudinal edge against the casing or otherpiece it will indicate on the board to be cut the proper cutting line.

It maybe well to explain that, while the arms 10 and 11 are resilient sofar as their movement toward and away from each other is concerned, theyare comparatively stifl and rigid so far as any movement parallel to theplane of their body walls 18 is concerned. Thus, while the arms byreason of their resiliency will act to grip the plank tov which they areapplied, they will. not bendlongitudinally and disastrously cause thepenciLor-other marking implement to ascribefa curved line; I

,..the,;modified form" of our. invention dis marker from a single sheetof metal which is cut and then bent to produce a substantially U-shapedbody having the wings or flanges 26 on its arms. A spacer block 27 is,of course, interposed between the inner faces of the arms. As shown inFig. 5, the marker may be employed in marking the cutting line on a baseboard in finishing the interior of houses. In such an application of thedevice the body of the marker is e straddled on the base board 28 and isdisposed with one of its arms flatly engaging against the edge of thecasing 29 so that, when the base board 28 is cut along the line marked,its terminal will conform to the inner edge of the casing.

In reduction to practice, it has been found that the form of thisinvention illustrated in the drawings, and referred to in the abovedescription as the preferred embodiment, is the most eflicient andpractical; yet realizing that the conditions concurrent with theadoption of this device will necessarily vary, it is desirable toemphasize the fact that various minor changes in details ofconstruction, proportion and arrangement of parts may be resorted to,when required, without sacrificing any of the advantages of thisinvention, as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:,

1. In a device of the character described, a substantially U-shaped bodymember, a spacer block adapted to be interposed between the armsthereof, longitudinal dimension of the spacer block being lessthan thelength of the body member whereby the arms thereof project beyond theblock, and a connecting bolt passing through the arms and the spacerblock.

2. A device of the character described in cluding a pair of channeledarms formed of resilient material, a substantially 'U-shaped yokeconnecting the terminals of the arms, a spacer block interposed betweenthe arms, the said arms of the body member projecting beyond the spacerblock at both sides thereof, and a connecting bolt passing through thearms and spacer block for holding the arms in engagement with the spacerblock.

3. A device of the character described including a pair of clamping armsformed of resilient material and having outwardly opening channels themajor portion of their length and inwardly opening channels at theirinner terminals, a substantially U- shaped yoke connecting the innerterminals of the arms, a spacer block interposed between the arms andhaving its terminals seated within the inwardly opening channels,

and a connecting bolt passing through the arms of the spacer block forholding the arms in engagement therewith.

4:. A device of the character described including a substantiallyU-shaped body member having resilient clamping arms, a spacer blockinterposed between the inner terminals of the arms, and a connectingbolt passing between the arms and the spacer block, the arms beingadapted to engage against the opposite faces of the article to be cut,and the spacer block being adapted to engage against the adjacent edgethereof.

5. A device of the. character described including a pair of resilientclamping arms, each of said arms being formed from a strip of sheetmetal having the major portion of its longitudinal edges directedoutwardly and laterallygto form an outwardly opening channel and theremaining portion of its longitudinal edges directed inwardly andlaterally to form inwardly opening channels, a U-shaped yoke connectingthe inner terminals of the arms, a spacer block interposed between thearms and having its terminals seated in the inwardly opening channels, aconnecting bolt/passing through the arms and the spacer block, and awing nut threaded on the bolt for drawing the arms into engagement withthe terminals of the spacer block, said spacer block being held againstrotation by the inwardly directed edge portions of the arms.

6. In a device of the character described, a substantially U-shaped bodymember, a spacer block adapted to be inserted between the arms thereofand being of such dimensions as to be contained within the limits of thearms, and means for holding the arms in engagement with the spacerblock.

7. A device of the character described including a substantiallyU-shaped body mem her having channel members providing stop flanges, aspacer block insertible between the arms of the body member, and meansfor detachably holding the block in position between the arms of thebody member.

8. In a device of the character described, a substantially 'U-shapedbody member having inwardly opening channel members, a spacer blockhaving its terminals seated in the channel members, and means fordetachably securing the block in the channels.

In testimony whereof we affix our signatures in presence of twowitnesses.

JOHN E. GHELMO. [Ls] LEONARD s. CHELMO. [Ls] Witnesses:

JAMES L. Connor, NATHAN BORGMAN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington. D. C.

